Dr. Richard Shaw brings a lifelong love of music and a wealth of board experience to CMSSL. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have been St. Louis Symphony season ticket holders for 40 years. They share a love for chamber music and especially enjoy the music in an intimate setting. They have hosted numerous musical events and fund raisers in their home with symphony musicians, jazz musicians and opera singers. Coming from a musical family and having studied both classical and jazz piano has fueled his passion for music but it wasn’t his only focus. While at the University of Iowa, he lettered in Big Ten Basketball for three years.
After graduating from Washington University Medical School, Dr. Shaw spent time in General Surgery at Barnes Hospital and conducted research at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. He served as Assistant Professor of Surgery at Jewish Hospital St. Louis. Dr. Shaw was Chief of Cardio-thoracic Surgery at Christian Hospital Northeast and established the first community hospital-based Cardio-thoracic Surgery program ever in St. Louis. He chaired their Ethics Committee for fifteen years and taught Medical Ethics at Washington University Medical School and Business Ethics to Washington University MBA students.
When Mary Ann Shaw began singing with several choral organizations they got involved in choral music. Dr. Shaw was active in founding the Cornerstone Chorale & Brass as well as the St. Louis Women’s Chorale where he serves as board chair. Dr. Shaw has served on the Board of the Sheldon Arts Foundation as well. He has served on numerous boards including the St. Louis Symphony, St. Louis Brass Band, Union Avenue Opera and Mercantile Library and the Sheldon Concert Hall and Art Galleries.